The former CFO of Big Un Limited, Mr Andrew Scott Corner, has appeared via his lawyer in the Downing Centre Local Court charged with insider trading contrary to s1043A(1) of the Corporations Act.

ASIC alleges that Mr Corner was in possession of inside information in late 2017 when he procured two private companies to sell 1.7 million Big Un shares for a total value of more than $5 million.

The information that Mr Corner allegedly possessed related to a funding arrangement between Big Un’s subsidiary, Big Review TV Limited and Sydney-based financier, First Class Capital.

Big Un was one of the top performing shares listed on the ASX in 2017. Its shares were suspended from trading in February 2018 after information about Big Un’s funding arrangement with First Class Capital was released.

Big Un was placed into voluntary administration and delisted from the ASX in August 2018. It is now in liquidation. Big Review TV is also in liquidation.

The matter has been listed for mention at the Downing Centre Local Court on 25 July 2023.

The matter is being prosecuted by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions following a referral from ASIC.

Background

Trading while in possession of inside information is an offence under section 1043A(1) of the Corporations Act.

At the time of the alleged offending, the maximum penalty was 10 years imprisonment and/or a fine of 4,500 penalty units, or, if the court can determine the total value of the benefits that have been obtained by one or more persons and are reasonably attributable to the commission of the offence, three times that total value. The maximum penalty increased in March 2019 to 15 years imprisonment and/or a fine of 4,500 penalty units.

ASIC has previously taken action against:

• The auditor of Big Un, Mr Graham Rothesay Swan, who was convicted for failing to conduct the 2017 audit of Big Un in compliance with auditing standards (22-198MR).
• Mr Jakin Leong Loke, whose auditor registration was suspended for 12 months by the Companies Auditors Disciplinary Board due to his involvement in the 2017 audit of Big Un (22-049MR).
• Former investment analyst, Mr Michael Ming Jinn Ho, who was sentenced to three years imprisonment to be served via an intensive correction order. Mr Ho was convicted on five counts of insider trading and one count of communicating inside information in respect of Big Un between 2016 and 2018 (20-209MR).

ASIC has also commenced proceedings against Big Un’s former CEO, Mr Richard Evans for allegedly communicating inside information to Mr Ho in 2017 (23-025MR).

Editor's note 1:

On 25 July 2023, the matter was mentioned in the Downing Centre Local Court. The matter was adjourned to 8 August 2023.

Editor's note 2:

On 8 August 2023, the matter was mentioned in the Downing Centre Local Court and adjourned to 19 September 2023 for charge certification.

Editor's note 3:

On 19 September 2023, the matter was mentioned in the Downing Centre Local Court and adjourned to 14 November 2023.

Editor's note 4:

The matter is next listed for mention in the Downing Centre Local Court on 19 December 2023.

Editor's note 5:

The matter is next listed for mention in the Downing Centre Local Court on 6 February 2024.

Editor's note 6:

The matter was mentioned in the Downing Centre Local Court on 13 February and adjourned to 9 April 2024.

Editor's note 7:

The matter was mentioned in the Downing Centre Local Court on 9 April 2024 and adjourned to 28 May 2024.

Editor’s note 8:

The matter was mentioned in the Downing Centre Local Court on 7 May 2024.

Editor’s note 9:

The matter was mentioned in the Downing Centre Local Court on 28 May 2024 and adjourned to 16 July 2024.

Editor’s note 10:

The matter was mentioned in the Downing Centre Local Court on 16 July 2024 and adjourned to 10 September 2024.

Editor’s note 11:

The matter was mentioned in the Downing Centre Local Court on 10 September 2024 and adjourned for committal to 29 October 2024.

Editor’s note 12:

The matter was mentioned in the Downing Centre Local Court on 29 October 2024 and adjourned to 12 November 2024.

Editor’s note 13:

The matter was mentioned in the Downing Centre Local Court on 12 November 2024 and pleas of not guilty were entered to each charge. The matter was committed to the Sydney District Court for mention on 13 December 2024.

Editor’s note 14:

The matter was mentioned in the Sydney District Court on 13 December 2024 and stood over to 7 February 2025.